Houses That Would Require Nerves of Steel to Live in
Solvay Hut in Switzerland
This hut, looking a bit precarious, is perched at a dizzying 13,000 feet above sea level on the Matterhorn, the iconic mountain that forms the border between Switzerland and Italy. We were honestly surprised to learn that it can accommodate up to ten people! The size might look small, but perhaps that’s just the camera angle playing tricks on us.
Hikers can seek refuge in this hut during emergencies, which is quite reassuring. Inside, there’s even a phone line for climbers to call for help if needed. It’s owned by the Swiss Alpine Club, the largest climbing organization in Switzerland, which is pretty fascinating. But one thing’s for sure: if you’re not careful, it’s a long way to fall if you step wrong! Would you feel brave enough to stay here, or does the height make you a bit uneasy?
Phoenix House in Hawaii
This picture shows Phoenix House, nestled in Hawaii at the base of two active volcanoes, Mount Loa and Kilauea. For those who aren’t aware, Kilauea is known for being one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can actually book a stay at this house on Airbnb and put your nerves to the test.
But be warned—if you decide to stay there, you might need to be ready to leave your belongings behind and make a quick escape if anything goes wrong! We’d definitely recommend wearing sneakers just in case you have to dash for safety. Would you dare to spend the night in such a thrilling, yet risky spot?
Korowai Treehouse in Indonesia
This picture shows a traditional home of the Korowai people from southeastern Papua, Indonesia. Their houses, built high up on stilts, definitely create a striking and somewhat daunting sight! Honestly, this house doesn’t look particularly sturdy, so jumping around might not be the best idea—you wouldn’t want to fall through the cracks and land on the ground below!
Getting in and out of these treehouses looks like quite the art form, too. But considering that this group has been around for a long time, they must have their construction methods down pretty well! Some of these treehouses reach impressive heights of up to 35 meters, which is pretty amazing. Would you dare to stay in one of these lofty homes, or do you think it would be too nerve-wracking?
Katskhi Pillar In Georgia
For the past twenty years, Maxime Qavtaradze has lived as an Eastern Orthodox monk in a church perched atop the Katskhi Pillar. It’s pretty fascinating that the practice of living alone on such high pillars didn’t really come back into fashion until the mid-1990s. That’s when Qavtaradze made the climb to the top, only coming down twice a week!
There’s an iron ladder on the side of the tower for people to use, but we can’t help but think how unsafe it would be to climb that rock without any safety gear. Just looking at it makes our hearts race! Over the years, it’s likely that accidents have occurred, and that thought is definitely unsettling. Would you ever consider making that climb, or do you think it’s just a bit too risky?
Drina River House in Serbia
The Drina River House was built in 1969, and this tiny structure has withstood decades of floods, storms, and rising water. It’s hard to imagine how you even get to such a unique property! Just think about the hassle of unloading groceries—definitely not an easy task! And parking nearby? Forget it!
With such an open design, this house is really exposed to the elements. We can’t help but feel that staying there overnight would be pretty creepy, especially knowing how high the water can rise. It’s a bit nerve-wracking to think about! If you ever visit, you might want to pack a life jacket just in case! Would you be brave enough to spend a night in such a quirky spot, or would you prefer somewhere a bit more sheltered?
Takasugi-An in Chino, Japan
It really does look like this building could topple over with just one gust of wind! We definitely wouldn’t want to be in this tiny house when it’s breezy outside. The teahouse is called Takasugi-an, which translates to “a teahouse too high” in Japanese. How fitting!
For those brave enough to visit, getting inside is quite an adventure—you have to climb a single ladder that leans precariously against one of the trees. To make things even trickier, guests are expected to take off their shoes halfway up the ladder.
Just imagining the fear of falling while navigating that narrow ladder is enough to make anyone’s palms sweat! And once you’re inside, it seems like you can really feel the teahouse sway in the wind. That sounds both thrilling and terrifying, right? Would you be adventurous enough to give it a try, or would you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground?
The Foothills of Mount Merapi in Indonesia
You might be surprised to learn about Mount Merapi, an active volcano located on Java Island in Indonesia. We didn’t know either until we started looking into it! This volcano is known for erupting quite frequently, making it a pretty dangerous place to live. Yet, despite the risks, around 75,000 people live in the surrounding areas.
What’s interesting is that the volcanic ash actually makes the land very fertile, which attracts people to settle there. However, that fertility comes with a price. In 2010, a series of eruptions tragically killed at least 386 people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes, including some near the volcano. It’s a stark reminder of how beautiful yet dangerous nature can be! Would you take the risk of living near such a powerful volcano, or would you prefer to stay somewhere safer?
Lichtenstein Castle in Germany
It’s easy to see why you might think this castle looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale! But in reality, we’re looking at Lichtenstein Castle in Germany. This picture doesn’t quite capture how precariously it sits on a steep cliff. The castle even faced attacks during the Second World War, which certainly didn’t help its structure!
Fortunately, many people believe the castle is safe enough for guests to visit. Still, we’d recommend keeping a safe distance from the edge of that cliff—the drop looks pretty dramatic! Would you be brave enough to explore this stunning castle, or would the height make you a bit uneasy?